Colour Trademarks in India: Registering a Colour or Colour Combination as Your Brand (2026)

📅 May 2, 2026 • 🕐 9 min read • ✍ IP India Research Desk

✅ Quick Answer: Colours and colour combinations can be trademarked in India if they have acquired distinctiveness through extensive use and are exclusively associated with your brand in consumers' minds. Filing a colour trademark requires submitting the specific Pantone/colour code and a declaration of acquired distinctiveness.

Can a Single Colour Be Trademarked?

Single colours are extremely difficult to trademark globally, including in India, because:

Colours are a shared visual resource — monopolising a colour prevents others from using it in commerce
Single colour marks require enormous evidence of acquired distinctiveness — consumers must associate that specific colour exclusively with your brand
Famous single colour trademarks globally: Tiffany Blue (Pantone 1837), UPS Brown, Cadbury Purple, Christian Louboutin Red Soles
In India, single colour marks are theoretically registrable but face very high examination scrutiny

Colour Combinations Are More Registrable

Specific combinations of colours are significantly easier to register than single colours:

A distinctive two-colour or three-colour combination used consistently builds stronger distinctiveness
The combination must be specific (defined by Pantone/RAL codes) and used consistently in a specific spatial arrangement
Example: A blue-and-gold diagonal stripe pattern used consistently on packaging could be registered as a colour combination mark

How to File a Colour Trademark in India

File Form TM-A on ipindiaonline.gov.in
Select 'colour mark' and specify whether it's a single colour or combination
Provide the exact colour specification: Pantone code, RAL code, or RGB/HEX values
Upload the mark as a JPEG in the exact colour claimed
In the mark description field, state: 'The mark consists of the colour [Pantone XXX] applied to [describe where and how]'
Prepare extensive evidence of acquired distinctiveness — years of consistent use, market surveys, advertising expenditure records

Indian Brand Colour Trademark Examples

Indian companies seeking or holding colour-based marks:

Airtel's distinctive red is a key brand element (though full single-colour registration is complex)
Asian Paints' distinctive colour wheel logo elements
BSNL's blue-orange combination
Various bank brand colours (HDFC's navy, SBI's blue, Axis's maroon)

Even without formal colour trademark registration, consistent distinctive colour use builds common law 'trade dress' rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trademark a colour in India?

Yes, in principle — but it is extremely difficult for single colours. Colour combinations are more achievable. You must show that the colour has acquired distinctiveness — consumers exclusively associate it with your brand.

What is required to register a colour trademark?

Specific colour codes (Pantone/RAL/RGB), consistent long-term use, extensive evidence of acquired distinctiveness through use, and consumer surveys showing exclusive association of the colour with your brand.

If I use the same colour for years, does it automatically get trademark protection?

Consistent long-term use of a distinctive colour can build common law 'trade dress' rights — providing some protection even without formal registration. However, formal trademark registration provides stronger, more enforceable rights.

Is Cadbury's purple colour trademarked in India?

Cadbury has registered its distinctive purple colour (Pantone 2685C) in several countries for chocolate confectionery. In India, Cadbury/Mondelez holds extensive trademark registrations protecting their brand identity including colour elements. Whether a standalone single-colour trademark is registered in India specifically requires checking the IP India register.

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